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Firefighter Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

a Firefighter pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $49,300/yr — 17% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #30 of 50 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Firefighter.

Median salary
$49,300/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$39,360 – $61,670
National median
$59,280/yr
Employed in Tennessee
7,020

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$49,300
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $53,645
State income tax
None

Tennessee's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #32 of 50, down from #30 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do firefighter professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $49,300 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $39,360 and $61,670. That's 17% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for firefighter?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #30 of 50 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $53,645. Tennessee's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #32 of 50, down from #30 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are firefighter professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 7,020 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +3.4% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Firefighter nationally — Tennessee pay is 17% below the national median. See the full a Firefighter career guide →

The verdict

Yes if you can get in — firefighting offers a strong pension, a unique schedule, deep camaraderie, and meaningful work, with no degree required. The catches are fierce competition for spots, real danger, and long-term health risks.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong pension and benefits
  • Unique schedule (e.g., 24-on/48-off) enabling side work
  • Deep camaraderie and meaningful service
  • No degree required; paid academy
  • High job satisfaction for many

Cons

  • Extremely competitive to get hired
  • Real physical danger and injury risk
  • Long-term health risks (smoke, carcinogens)
  • Sleep disruption and emotional trauma exposure
  • Modest base pay in some departments

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Physically fit, service-driven people
  • Those who value schedule and camaraderie
  • Anyone willing to compete hard for a spot

✗ Probably not if…

  • People wanting predictable, low-risk work
  • Those unable to meet the physical demands

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Firefighter is worth it — titles link to the original threads.